The end of another year!! Where did the time go? If you have written in your journal this year, you KNOW where it went! Some Journal Keepers - at this time of year especially - like to take a few pages at the front or at the back of their handwritten journal to index their entries. I like to index mine at the back - usually because I'm so excited to start a new journal that I forget to leave a few pages. I just want to jump right in and write on those lusciously creamy pages with my elegant new pen that I treat myself to every new year.
Number all the pages in your journal to start with. Handwrite the numbers using calligraphy pens or use some rubber stamps and coloured ink to print the page numbers. Stickers or your own handwriting in coloured pens also work.
While you are at it, you might like to continue throughout the journal to stamp patterns or designs in various spots on your pages or add washi tape ( a thin tape that has printed patterns in multiple colours - find it at your local craft store or office supply store ) for added interest and splashes of colour.
Then at the back I start on the very last page. I write one number on each line and work my way backwards into my journal until I have the right number of pages set aside. As you make an entry, note it in the back index on the appropriate line. An index may include the page number, a date when the entry was written and a short phrase or a word or two to describe the event or thought you are writing about. Another way to index is to write the page numbers as you make entries in case you need more space for your descriptions - or if you write very large!
After you have written for a year in a journal it can be difficult to find that quote you wrote down in a moment of inspiration, or that event you might need to look up again to get your details straight. And for sure, if you have kept a journal for a number of years, it will help you find what you are looking for through multiple journals you may have stacked on your shelf. It's also a great way to review memories with a brief scan of your journal index. I've found it to be a very helpful practice especially for my business journal where I keep track of notes from workshops, books I've read, podcasts I've listened to and ideas and studio hours I have logged.
At the end of each year, I like to read through my journal. I will use a highlighter to mark the quotes I especially like.
I like to highlight lessons I learned with another colour.
I make a list of especially memorable events, accomplishments, books I read and even things I bought this year. A review to close out the year helps me make decisions about what I want to do more of next year, complete what I started last year, and decide what new things I want to make sure I record in my journal for this upcoming year. Sometimes I realize I haven't added events in, or I haven't recorded very much for a very memorable day and I still want to capture more details. I can stick an extra page in and add more details if I want. It's just a great idea to look back and remember all the things that happened in a year. Where did the time go???
Have you ever indexed your journals? Do you have an interesting way to do your indexing?
Happy journaling
Debbie
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